Travel down the highways and bye-ways of Commonwealth stamp collecting for news and views about Commonwealth stamps.

Monday, 22 August 2016

812. Bangladesh Post Late To The Olympics.

Bangladesh Post has issued a single stamp and a miniature sheet (in perforated and imperforate form with simulated perforations) to commemorate the Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro. However the first day of issue was 21 August 2016 - the last day of the Games - unlike most other postal administrations which released their issues before or at the beginning of the Games. It is an interesting issue depicting as it does an aerial view of the statue of Christ The Redeemer in Rio De Janeiro. Rating:- ***.

What is the point of designing and printing a lovely composite sheet of 7 stamps depicting interesting and attractive wildlife and then scarring each stamp and partially obscuring each design by placing a QR Code on each stamp thus ruining the appearance of the entire sheetlet? Pos Malaysia has done just that to its otherwise very attractive "Seven wonders of Malaysia's Flora and Fauna" sheetlet which contains 7 different stamps and was issued on 23 August 2016. Rating:- ** (ruined by the QR codes)

Australia Postissued a set of 4 stamps on 23 August 2016 with the inscription "Christmas Island Australia" on the subject of Shells of Christmas Island. The stamps were designed by Lynette Traynor using artwork by Roger Swanston and lithographed by RA Print and perforated 14 X 14.5. Not the most exciting of sets, I think. Rating:- **.

From 13 September 2016, devoted collectors of Royal Mail Post and Go labels will have the pleasure of having 2 new Collectors strips on which to spend their money - the Steam GWR museum in Swindon will introduce a new "STEAM GWR" logo on to the Machin Head and Union Flag labels. The previous "Swindon 175" inscription will continue to be used until the end of 2016. Rating:- 0.